eCut, a new cloud-based decision support system to improve productivity in meat-packing plants. Based on a microservice architecture to handle executions in OpenNebula environments

Abstract

Thepigfarmingsectorisaverycompetitivebusiness where innovation is a key factor. On the research side, there exists a large body of models and research that too often do no reach real companies for practical use. In this paper, we propose a cloud-based decision support system to overcome the main practical limitations and make a contribution in a specific decision problem of pig meat-packing plants. We propose a tool based on a scalable cloud architecture based on microservices and mainly focused at: (i) integrate the data in the system, (ii) integrate the model, (iii) automate the resolution process, and finally present the results in an interactive way to the end-users. The results show the benefits of the decision support system assisting a real Spanish meat-packing plant to make a better negotiation, planning, product profitability studies or marketing campaign. It is demonstrated the competitive advantages of using the proposed model in a usable, flexible and transparent way.